This bylaw shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Marshfield, Massachusetts," hereinafter referred to as "this bylaw."

This bylaw is adopted pursuant to the authority granted by MGL c. 40A and amendments thereto, herein called "the Zoning Act."

This bylaw is enacted for the following purposes: to lessen congestion in the streets; to conserve health; to secure safety from fires, panic, and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements; to conserve the value of land and buildings; to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town; to preserve the historical character of the Town; to prevent contamination of and preserve the quantity and quality of ground and surface water which provides existing or potential water supplies for the Town's residents, institutions and businesses; and to preserve and increase its amenities. It is made with reasonable consideration as to the character of each district and to its peculiar suitability for particular uses, with a view to giving direction or effect to land development policies and proposals of the Planning Board, including the making of Marshfield a more viable and more pleasing place to live, work and play.